A bright lad and into all sorts of mischief, George had gradually
acquired the reputation among the teachers of being “a bad boy”; and the
new superintendent was informed to this effect when he came to the
school.
[Sidenote: Snake in School-room]
One day there was a great commotion in his grade; an innocent garter
snake had been let loose in the school-room. George was accused, and as
the disturbance had begun in his corner of the room, and as he was known
to have a great fondness for all sorts of animals, insects, snakes,
etc., the evidence seemed decidedly against him.
“No, sir!” he replied to the superintendent, when sent for to go to the
office. “No, sir! I didn’t do it!”
“I’m afraid that you are not telling me the truth, George. You have a
bad reputation. I think that I shall punish you by sending you into the
next lower grade, until you can learn to become more of a man.”
“It’s such a disgrace, mother! No, I can’t go back. The boys will all
make fun of me. Besides, I didn’t do it!”
Finally, however, his mother made him see that the manly thing would be
to take his punishment, even if he wasn’t to blame. So, on the following
morning, he reported himself to the teacher of the next lower grade, and
told her that he was to study there.
Later in the day the superintendent made his rounds, and exclaimed
surprisedly, when he saw George,
“Why, you here? I didn’t expect to ever see you again!”
Needless to say that was the last appearance of George at school, and a
life that might have been helped was spoiled by an unjust punishment and
a careless remark. Even superintendents may make mistakes!